Data & Research

Separated defined benefit (DB) plan participants have been on the rise since 2004—a sweet spot for advisers targeting lump-sum distributions, research found.

Seventy-nine percent of Americans responding to an Edward Jones survey admitted they have committed a mistake with regard to their finances.

The youngest affluent investors don’t watch TV, listen to the radio or read newspapers. So how do advisers engage Generation Y?

Despite belief they will need to set aside a large portion of income to have a secure retirement, Americans seem unable to do so.

Twenty-two percent of workers in the 2013 Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) say the age at which they expect to retire has increased in the past year.

Traditionally, each generation is typically wealthier than the previous one at any given age.

Relationships trump product development; soft skills trump hard ones; and self-motivation is key, said Texas Tech students in a Schwab survey.

Women of color, even those with access to employer-sponsored plans, are not prepared for retirement, a survey indicates.

While stable value funds are popular with retirement plan sponsors, more education about them is needed, a study found.

Mutual fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) assets through broker/dealers and registered investment advisers (RIAs) had more than 30% growth in 2012 than wirehouses.

Mortgage payments, credit card debt, college tuition—they can all get in the way of retirement savings, despite employees’ best intentions.

Many Americans misunderstand how Social Security works, a survey found.

Beyond the general education about how to much to save and how to invest, retirement plan participants have issues at different life stages that need to be addressed.

When it comes to retirement planning communication, plan sponsors must remember to lend a helping hand to disengaged and engaged employees alike.

Two-thirds of defined contribution (DC) plan providers have launched mobile initiatives focused on plan participants, with more companies planning them, LIMRA found.

Middle-income Baby Boomers would be less likely to save for retirement if taxes are increased or if tax incentives for retirement savings are reduced or eliminated.

Advisers are gearing up for growth with technology investments, customer service and training, according to a survey by TD Ameritrade.  

 Registered investment advisers (RIAs) and dually registered advisers are the fastest-growing channels, according to research from Cerulli Associates in Boston.   

There was no decline in retirement preparedness among employees in 2012 despite a decline in overall financial wellness, according to data from Financial Finesse.

 Total 529 savings plan assets reached an estimated $168.5 billion in the last quarter of 2012.